President Paul Kagame is set to attend the inauguration ceremony of President Denis Sassou Nguesso in Brazzaville, following his re-election in the Republic of Congo.
President Kagame arrived in Brazzaville on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, where he was received by Prime Minister Anatole Collinet Makosso ahead of the official swearing-in ceremony scheduled for Thursday, April 16.
President Sassou Nguesso won a fifth consecutive term in the March 15, 2026 elections with 94.82% of the vote.
A long-serving leader of the Congolese Labour Party, Sassou Nguesso first assumed power in 1979, left office in 1992 after the country’s first multiparty elections, and returned in 1997 following a brief civil conflict.
President Kagame’s presence at the ceremony highlights the continued diplomatic relations between Kigali and Brazzaville, which have grown steadily over the years.
In July 2023, during Sassou Nguesso’s visit to Rwanda, President Kagame awarded him the Agaciro Medal in recognition of his contribution to Africa’s development and also gifted him cattle as a traditional symbol of friendship.
The two countries cooperate in several sectors, including agriculture, mining, and air transport, with RwandAir operating direct flights between Kigali and Brazzaville since 2011.
